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Motoring | Test Drives

Long-term review: 2012 Cadillac SRX - Week 4

Amit Benjamin waves goodbye to the refined Cadillac SRX. He's enjoyed the ride, but ponders over what else Dh200K can buy you

By Amit Benjamin, Editor, wheels
Published: 12:16 October 24, 2012

Image Credit: Dennis B Mallari/ANM
The 3.6-litre V6 powering the SRX is an ultra-smooth unit that makes coasting along a joy.

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Long-term review: 2012 Cadillac SRX - Week 1
Long-term review: 2012 Cadillac SRX - Week 2
Long-term review: 2012 Cadillac SRX - Week 3

Dh200,000 is a sizeable amount of money to spend on a car. And predictably the choices are many once you tread into the six-digit territory. While the Cadillac SRX represents great value in the premium CUV class, with similarly equipped rivals costing substantially more, there are many worthy alternatives if you look beyond the segment. You could have a nicely equipped V6-engined Mercedes C-Class or even the bigger Audi A6. But since we are talking about compact SUVs let’s stick with the subject.

Like I’ve mentioned earlier in these reports, the new SRX is finally the car it should’ve been from the start. And the star of the show, undeniably, is that direct injected 3.6-litre V6. It’s a heck of a smooth lump, which is unperturbed by the SRX’s two-tonne heft. Refinement is better than ever thanks to extra sound deadening all around, but in terms of build quality the Germans are still the benchmark.

The ride is American-car floaty but predictably the SRX isn’t the final word in automotive dynamics. It’s not built for that. Moving a family around in utter comfort is its remit and it does that admirably. Even when it comes to luggage space it’s slightly more capacious than the notably more expensive Q5 and it also packs a Mercedes-style luggage rail and power tailgate. All handy on family outings.

There are some minor niggles though. The Audi is better built and easier to manoeuvre around town than the SRX, thanks to a smaller turning circle. But those are minor drawbacks considering the price difference. Here’s the thing. Personally, if I had Dh200,000 to spend on a car I’d look beyond the CUV class. But that’s because a car’s ability to handle corners matters more to me than handling luggage. It might not to you. In which case the SRX is worthy of your serious consideration. It’s a great family car that does what it says on the tin, and some.

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